Brush and Palette Club Show

Today I will be visiting my framer to pick up work for the Brush and Palette Club Show ( see above). I will also be dropping off work to be framed for Five Artists On The Rock, Impressions from a sketching trip to Newfoundland. Yesterday I had my first look at the self published book with the same title that one of the artists put together for us and was really happy with the results. It will be a wonderful keepsake from our trip together.
The studio space is still on hold until the water issue is resolved, but in the meantime, I am organising materials and making a few purchases so that when the space is ready the move in will be smooth.
Last week I had the opportunity to work in clay for the first time and it was great. I will be attending sessions for the next 7 weeks and am looking forward to the chance to try something new, to forget about the basement issues and to meet new friends.

Oh JOY

So.... the studio had one last step to go before completion, removing the old wall to wall carpet and installing the flooring. We had a phone call to inform us that the flooring had arrived and the installer called to set up a day to complete the project. The basement where my studio will be located has been dry for over 30 years. However, when we began to pull up the carpet we discovered water at the edge of the floor. A call to the plumber and a few hours later we were informed that groundwater was coming into the basement.... OH JOY...at least I think that is what I said...it may have been a slightly more profane remark. So.... the city was called to make inquiries about a sump pump subsidy program, the floor installer called to delay installation of the new floor and I am now faced with visions of concrete being jackhammered, pump and pipes being installed, money flying out of my account and then, maybe, fingers crossed, I can begin to move into my studio at last. OH JOY!!!

Too Busy To Blog

I have neglected to write anything here for quite a while. My excuse is that I have been getting ready for four upcoming shows.... the Annual Brush and Palette Club Show and Sale ( April 8, 9 10), The Lambeth Art Association Annual Show and Sale (April 22,23,24), a solo exhibit, Leaping Greenly, at ArtVenture Studio April 26 to May 8, and a group show, Five Artists On The Rock, Impressions of Newfoundland at The Art Exchange ( May 2 to 22). The work for the shows has been completed over the last year for the most part with a few pieces still  to complete. Four shows in a period of one month may seem like madness. All I can say is that it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Bluebell Woods, Turville, U.K.

The lighting in the studio is now more or less complete, so this week we will be painting the walls and tearing out the old wall to wall carpet...not looking forward to the carpet part but visions of a new and bigger brighter place to work keep me going. I keep rearranging the new studio set up in my mind but I think that I won't really have a plan until it's done and I move equipment and supplies in.

Miniature Shows

Port Stanley Harbour

On Wednesday I dropped off two paintings at The Art Exchange ( 247 Wortley Road, London ) for entry into their 5th Annual Juried Miniature Show and Sale which runs from Feb.1st to Feb. 27th. The Opening Reception will be held Friday February 5 at 7:30 pm.

Yesterday I drove to Port Stanley to deliver three paintings to Portside Gallery (195 Main Street) for their 8th Annual Miniature Show and Sale which runs from Feb. 1st to Feb. 28th. The Opening Reception is Sunday February 7th from 1 to 4pm.

Be Careful What You Wish For

We have just had two glorious January days, exactly the kind I wished for. The plan was to get outside and sketch. However, the electrician was here to work on lighting on the first day and I had appointments lined up for the second day, so I did not get outside to sketch. I did finish the painting of Snake Creek in The Medway Forest though.

Snow In Our Garden

I am waiting for one of those fabulous January days when the sun shines, the snow sparkles and the blue sky beckons to get outside and sketch. In the meantime, I have been looking at the snow in our garden (and everywhere else ) and have been inspired to work on a painting from one of my previous sketches of Medway Creek in winter. I am working on a full sheet using a limited palette of the complimentary colours raw sienna and ultramarine blue. I may add one or two others as the painting progresses.

On a different note, the sorting, cleaning, tossing out and donating of various items continues in the basement. Who knew we could accumulate so much stuff? Tomorrow the electrician arrives to begin the necessary changes in order to put in new lighting.